Original subtitles

Come on, Fortunato!

-What a different carriage! -It's not from around here.

Must be someone important, in such luxury.

I've never seen such a fine thing.

It's a sin to splurge like that.

Look! It's a woman!

Do you think she'd have the courage to return?

After all that happened?

-Only if... -Only if she has no shame.

Blood.

Blood has always guided my life.

First, blood from someone I never met.

Grandpa, will you ever tell me who my dad is?

Leave your grandfather alone, child!

Then, my mother's blood, whom everyone said was crazy.

Quiet, Beja!

Your grandma doesn't like noise.

But she was much more than that.

I told you not to! You can't!

She was an enigma.

But, Father, I can't take this anymore!

A mixture of moments of great sadness,

with bursts of pure joy.

When these emotions overwhelmed her, she decided to end it all...

Taking me with her.

Grab this, Beja! Don't let go!

But my fate was to live,

raised like a princess by my grandfather.

But my mother taught me to be a hummingbird.

To fly freely.

So why does life always drag me back to blood?

Are you alright?

Is it still possible to harvest when the soil has dried up?

Antônio.

To love one who fights for the freedom of a people

is to love one who is not free, themselves.

Antônio carries that heritage in his blood.

He was reared from a young age to take on the mission of Grandma Lueji.

A captive who turned the gold she found into her freedom,

and the freedom of so many black people.

When Grandma Lueji passed,

she did so without knowing that Antônio felt obliged to silence his heart,

and stifle his feelings in order to follow in her footsteps.

For you.

But my heart is so hungry for love

that no blood will keep me from what has always been mine.

Beja.

We should look elsewhere.

Unpack your things, Severina.

We're staying.

The hope of reclaiming my life made me believe

that it was enough to be the Beja of before.

A kid brought this.

It's for you.

But fate had other plans for me.

It seems the camp isn't thrilled with our presence.

"Thank you for the gift.

The fertilizer has done my rose bush a lot of good.

I'll repay you with flowers.

After all...

One gives what one has."

Ask the boy to take it back, to the same person who sent it.

And find me the nicest dress.

We have a place to visit.

Beja...

Are you really sure about this?

Isn't here where it all began?

The house is nice.

It will suit your desires.

But must it really be here?

I insist, Severina.

My gentlemen's club will take place in this farmhouse.

If life has made me a lady of the night...

I'll make the world into a brothel.

Because Madam Beja is here to stay.

MADAM BEJA

TWO YEARS EARLIER

Beja!

Beja!

Where are you?

You thought I ran away.

I'd track you to the ends of the world.

Say you love me.

Say you love me.

You know what I feel for you, don't you?

I want to hear it from you.

Alright.

-Say it! -Alright.

Come hear it underwater!

Come!

What's wrong, my princess?

I won't be able to stay away from you that long.

Don't be sad.

I promise to write you every day.

You will forget me.

It's impossible to forget you, Beja.

Impossible.

You drive me crazy.

I can't.

I just can't, I can't touch you...

Before I marry you...

But I can.

I like Beja.

But her family is such a mess.

Well, I think the engagement will help Antônio, Ceci.

He needs to take responsibility.

He's a grown man.

Do you want to make me look shaggy? Like your son's fiancée?

Shaggy or not,

Antônio will look good in the capital with Beja.

Just as I was a trophy for you, no, Paulo?

Ceci...

Come here.

I would never have fought for the right to marry a white woman,

let alone without a dowry,

if I didn't love her like I love you, Mrs. Ceci Sampaio.

I've always been crazy for you.

Well I do hope your effort was worth it.

Grandpa, do you need help?

Please.

This way, please, Mr. Alves.

I'll accompany you.

I'll help you.

It's an honor to receive you with your granddaughter, Mr. Alves.

Especially on an evening when we're here,

as a family, to celebrate friendship and love.

Here's to Antônio and Beja!

I thought I'd be alone in this world...

But Antônio promised to take care of me.

What a golden boy!

We're people of our word, Mr. Alves.

That's why we'd like to seal the deal right away.

Our son will finish his studies, return from Europe,

and then we'll marry them both.

They're still there, on the couch, holding hands!

How is this allowed?

You're too embarrassed to show your feelings.

-I told you so. -We are siblings, Maria.

No, Angélica.

Antônio and I are siblings.

You're just a baby that was dumped here!

Why would you say that?

Because that little detail allows you to marry Antônio!

If you weren't stupid!

-Good night, Maria. -Good night, Angélica.

I don't want to use gloves anymore

because I want to admire our ring.

I left the other one here!

You'll have to stay here until you find it!

I have to go.

Go. I'll find your glove and take it to you.

Quiet! Maria is here!

It'll be so dull here without you...

I shall die of boredom in England.

You've got me used to living to the fullest.

Everything with you is an adventure.

I love you, Antônio.

Me too.

Why don't you ever say you love me?

But I do say it.

Only I say it my way.

This way, I'll always be close to you heart.

I'll be back.

Wait for me, I'll be back. Alright?

SOME TIME AFTER THAT

It won't be long until Antônio returns.

Has he sent any letters, Mrs. Ceci?

Beja, my daughter, a woman cannot be a campfire.

She must be a candle.

A candle. Do you understand the difference?

You liar!

-Bitch! -Mom...

-Isn't that Colonel Botelho? -Bitch!

You bitch!

You damned wench!

Are you mad? Did you think you could trick me?

Acting so pure! Insinuating yourself for marriage!

Would anyone here eat an apple that's been bitten?

-No! -No!

Anyone?

Well, me neither!

Let me go!

How awful to lie like that!

And your father wanted a wife of that color for Antônio.

God forbid!

Beja is better.

She's lying!

God have mercy on Candinha.

God has better things to do, no?

He's not going to worry about prostitutes.

You lost soul!

-You cursed lost soul! -Maria, daughter!

Manners!

You're going to the tavern.

You're going to the tavern, you are!

Didn't you lie? Explain it to the devil!

I didn't lie! No!

Yeah! Look here!

Go work the tavern!

I didn't lie!

What's wrong, Beja?

Poor thing...

How sad for a man to have to act like that.

It's really sad.

Let's go, girls. We've seen more than we should have. Come.

Drink.

It'll help.

I'm not supposed to be here.

Do you think I am?

I'm sorry, Mrs. Nena.

But I did nothing.

I swear I did nothing.

You were not the first, nor will you be the last

to tolerate a man that demands dessert before supper.

How do you know?

Respect my gray hair, child.

He didn't get what he wanted.

-I'm still a maiden. -Does that matter now?

To those people, you're as much of a whore as I.

I am not a wench.

-I was going to be married! -Wake up, girl!

You are lovely.

But they only see you as a black woman.

And never as wife.

Ever.

I know I am black.

But I am no captive.

I'm free.

Free?

I can give you a house and food,

but you have to pay me.

Through work.

And here...

We don't turn customers away. Understood?

Ow!

I can't breathe like this, Mrs. Ceci!

Your husband breathes for you.

Do you think it's easy being a wife?

The dress really suits you wonderfully.

It's a shame Beja has no other dress, she could go to the Magistrate's ball.

No. I'm taking care of my grandfather.

Do you have the gall to miss the party?

It's all they talk about!

And the Magistrate, who's coming to meet Araxá.

Well, if the man is the king's Magistrate,

he needs to meet my son's future wife.

That could really help Antônio with politics.

You are going to the ball, Beja.

Your grandfather will understand.

Why can't I move to Vila Rica with you, father?

We've talked about this, Botelhinho.

With the death of your mother, it's just the two of us.

You stay, look after the farm.

But I want to get into politics.

-Politics is a very serious matter. -I can be your assistant.

You can't even handle a tie!

Assistant...

And didn't I set up a little newspaper for you here in Araxá?

You forbade me from writing about politics!

Of course. You inherited your mother's rotten ideas.

The winds now blow in a different direction.

Let me give you some advice...

Be guided by the winds.

Father, are you ashamed of me?

Behave yourself at the ball.

It was hard convincing the king's Magistrate

to come all the way here, to Araxá, a place he didn't even know existed.

I need his favor.

Son, sort out that hair.

You look awful.

Colonel Felizardo!

It's an honor to receive you in my home.

Ready for another election?

If you are willing to lose another election.

Mrs. Genoveva, long time no see!

Make yourselves at home! Enjoy.

Your drink, uncle.

And you, Fortunato? Aren't you drinking?

I don't know a man that doesn't drink!

Mother, that hurts!

Who told you to be so pale, Carminha?

Try to get the Magistrate's attention!

Wake up, Costa Pinto!

And this Magistrate, is he really here?

He certainly made it to Araxá.

How do you know?

Were you off lifting your skirt about the farm?

Uncle, everybody knows already.

There's no other talk in the village.

So many important things to do with our money,

and they throw this useless party.

Full of ostentation.

And the white people are looking at us as if we couldn't be here.

It will take at least half a century

for them to accept our presence.

If they ever do at all.

The Magistrate must be in the salon and we're here,

waiting for the little princess.

Honey, Beja is almost family.

Angélica is also almost family, and she doesn't have her own cart.

Maria!

How did you want your brother's fiancée to come?

On foot?

They're here.

Beja.

How beautiful!

Goodness, Beja, you're just...

-...beautiful. -Beautiful.

Thank you.

Perfect to represent Antônio.

So we can go in now, right?

Please.

And the Magistrate? Did you see him?

No, but you took so long!

It's all the ragamuffin's fault.

Carminha!

What a lovely dress!

Did the modiste in Vila Rica take your measurements?

Imagine!

The foreman measured a mare's hip and had it sewn up.

Outside, you said I was beautiful.

What happened?

Lots of pomp for an orphan girl.

Maria!

I'm an orphan as well!

It's different, Angélica.

You had an education. This girl didn't.

She has no manners, no parents, and no wardrobe.

Ladies and gentlemen.

I request your attention.

I am pleased to announce the presence, within this very home,

of Joaquim Inácio Silveira da Mota, the king's Magistrate,

who has come from court to get to know our Araxá.

Wow.

He's kind of flashy!

Good evening, ladies.

Good evening, Mr. Magistrate.

Are you enjoying the ball?

It's better now.

It's better now.

Mr. Magistrate, come with me.

I want to introduce you to the strong men of Araxá.

My mother still listened to me.

But my father didn't even look me in the eyes, Siá Boa.

For them, Col. Botelho's intentions were the best.

Welcome to my home.

He didn't believe me when I told him the Colonel wanted to abuse me.

I know how you feel.

He treated me like a liar.

The word of a woman is nothing to them.

I didn't let that disgusting man help himself before the wedding.

No, no!

I could use you...

But I won't do that.

Because I will show you who's in charge here.

Did you really think I was going to marry a little greengrocer?

Let go of me!

Come here.

I'll help you.

Quite vain, this Magistrate.

No wonder. They all ingratiate themselves to him.

May I have Beja for a dance, sir?

If she pleases.

Beja.

Antônio, my fiancé, would not approve.

Silly.

It was just a dance.

The Botelho family has a lot more money than ours.

Then you dance with him.

May I dance with your daughter, miss?

She is not our daughter, Mr. Magistrate.

She's our future daughter-in-law.

And this is my wife, Mrs. Ceci Sampaio.

Of course, my dear sir. I beg your pardon for my slip.

My.

What's wrong with dancing?

What was that, Ceci?

We're paving the way for Antônio at court.

Isn't that our mission?

Come on.

Look.

Just smile!

Smile and move around.

Come here!

I'd like to say that you get used to it, but that wouldn't be true!

Three songs in a row!

My mother will kill me!

It's hard to compete with Beja.

Minx.

Wait until my brother hears it.

Your eyes.

Have you seen how expressive they are?

My grandfather says the same.

I doubt your grandfather has complimented your body.

What a lovely bosom.

-What a figure, my word! -Would you mind if we stopped?

I am feeling unwell.

Are you sure?

I will miss such...

charming company.

Are you sure, Beja? It's still so early.

I'm not feeling very well.

Let her go, Ceci. She's done enough for Antônio.

-Go, Beja. -Thank you, Mr. Sampaio.

Send my regards to Mr. Alves.

-Good night. -Good night.

Go ahead.

Of course it's virility that makes the man, Honorato.

Stop. You're saying that

because after the pain of losing your daughter,

you never laid with another woman.

Yeah.

I'm half a man. You know that.

But you drink like a whole man.

Evening.

Are you back, Beja?

Is the music over?

If even Honorato thinks you've had too much

then you definitely did, right, grandpa?

After everything that's happened...

It's the only pleasure I have left.

Time to go, Honorato.

It's time to go, yes. Yes.

We talk more tomorrow.

See you later. Give me the bottle.

-Give... -Leave it to me.

The cup stays, too, right?

-Good night. -Good night.

Good night, again.

Good night, you grouch.

Who are you going to be today?

I am a sultan.

And you are my prisoner!

Oh my God!

Mom.

-Yes? -Can a girl be a sultan?

Honey...

You can be whatever you want.

When I grow up, I want to be very...

Very, very pretty.

Is that so?

Really pretty?

Pretty like Sherazade?

No, mom! Pretty like you!

Beja, my daughter...

Too much beauty...

only brings danger.

Are you leaving, dad?

You're not going to babysit the Magistrate anymore?

Botelhinho, I've done my part.

Now the wine will do the rest.

And you, stay away from that man.

I'm going to handle some unfinished business before returning to Vila Rica.

Thought you weren't going to serve me?

You will.

And I'll have the pleasure of being the first.

Mother?

No!

Grandpa!

Did you shoot my grandfather? Why?

Grandpa!

Come on! Come on!

Grandpa! Wake up, please!

No! Let go of me!

-Please! -Hold up...

What's going on here?

You let her go!

-Help! -Let her go!

Honorato! Honorato!

Lord have mercy!